Under-20s, honorable defeat for Azzurrini against baby All Blacks

In a sold-out San Michele Stadium, Italy U20 makes its debut in the World Rugby U20 Championship. Opponent of the day was New Zealand, for an immediately impactful debut for the Azzurrini, which has been missing – for the National U20 team – since 2011, the year of the first WRU20 Championship hosted by Italy.

The Azzurri lost Bruno Vallesi after less than three minutes, replaced by prop Nicola Bolognini. After the stop to rescue the Italian pylon, the game resumed and New Zealand took advantage, scoring the go-ahead try in the 9th minute with Letiu.

The Italians were not able to score.

On 16′ Stanley Solomon, New Zealand winger receives a yellow for an entry on Ducros’ head. After Bunker review, referee Martin opts to uphold the decision. Italy struggles and remains on the 7-0 scoreline until the halftime water break, crucial to counter Calvisano’s heat.

New Zealand’s second try comes at the end of the first half with Pledger: we therefore go to rest on 14-0.

The resumption opens immediately with Italy ahead: a nice offensive progression of the Azzurrini brings Niccolò Beni in the penalty corner goal (14-5).

The game remains in balance: at the eleventh of the second half Piero Gritti returns to the field, having returned to the national team after an injury that kept him out for several months.

The Azzurrini struggle in an intense match, against a team – New Zealand – that manages the spaces of play well, but concedes dangerous rises to Italy.

Italy tries to attack strongly, looking for points, but the result remains on 14-5 for “Baby Blacks”.

In the final, New Zealand takes another yellow card and remains in 14: the Azzurrini try to go for the posts with Pietramala, to try to take the defensive bonus point. The penalty, however, goes out wide. It ends 14-5, with the awareness, for Italy, of having put in a test of great character, which put the New Zealanders in serious difficulty.